Headlines
Norway Should Not Work Towards Nuclear Power Generation Now, Commission Finds
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 8, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 8, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleQuick Summary
A government-appointed commission in Norway advises against initiating a broad nuclear power rollout now due to abundant hydropower, cost-effectiveness of alternatives, and regulatory hurdles, though it recommends a competence project to monitor future developments.
Norway Should Delay Nuclear Power Generation Amid Ample Hydropower, Commission Says
Commission Report on Norway's Nuclear Power Prospects
By Nora Buli
Background and Commission Appointment
OSLO, April 8 (Reuters) - Norway should refrain from starting a comprehensive process to introduce nuclear power at present, amid still plentiful hydropower supply and cheaper alternative new energy sources, a government appointment commission said on Wednesday.
The Norwegian government in 2024 appointed the 12-person committee to look at the potential future use of nuclear power in the Nordic country, the first such in-depth review since the 1970s.
Drivers for Nuclear Power Consideration
The need for more emissions-free energy to meet an expected increase in demand from electrification and the ambition of private companies to establish nuclear power production warranted a fresh look at the technology, the government said.
Current Energy Landscape in Norway
Hydropower Dominance
"The Norwegian power system is not dependent on the system properties of nuclear power, because we have abundant hydropower in Norway," the committee's chair, Kristin Halvorsen, a former finance minister, said when presenting the report.
Hydropower accounted for 89.9% of Norwegian power generation in 2025, followed by wind power with an 8.6% share, according to Statistics Norway.
Regional and European Context
Nordic neighbours Finland and Sweden have built or are planning to build new nuclear reactors, while other European countries too are eyeing nuclear as a means to generate emissions-free power.
Challenges and Recommendations
Profitability and Regulatory Hurdles
While nuclear power would theoretically fit into the Norwegian system, it was not currently profitable and would also require extensive work to prepare the necessary regulatory regime, the committee said.
National Competence Project Proposal
Still, it proposed to establish a national competence project that will keep abreast of technical innovations and allow for a faster introduction of nuclear power should this become relevant in the future.
Future Outlook for Norway's Energy Mix
Rising Demand and Alternative Solutions
While Norway currently has a power surplus, demand is expected to rise amid greater electrification of transport and industry.
For the time being, onshore wind power, upgrades of existing hydropower and offshore wind will be main levers for meeting demand, but nuclear could still have a role to play in the future, Energy Minister Terje Aasland said.
(Reporting by Nora Buli, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Key Takeaways
- •Norway’s electricity system is not dependent on nuclear because hydropower accounted for around 89 % of power generation in 2025, with wind as the main complement (8–10 %) (enerdata.net).
- •Unlike neighbors Finland and Sweden, which are actively expanding nuclear capacity and exploring SMRs, Norway’s current surplus power and lower costs for wind and hydro make nuclear unfeasible now (grs.de).
- •The commission proposes establishing a national competence project to stay updated on nuclear innovations, enabling quicker adoption if future conditions change (lemonde.fr).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Norway should not work towards nuclear power generation now, commission finds
1Why did the commission advise against nuclear power in Norway?
The commission cited Norway's abundant hydropower resources and the availability of cheaper alternative energy sources as reasons to hold off on pursuing nuclear power.
2What percentage of Norway's electricity comes from hydropower?
In 2025, hydropower accounted for 89.9% of Norwegian power generation.
3What are Norway’s main alternatives to nuclear power?
Onshore wind, upgrades to existing hydropower, and offshore wind are the main alternatives Norway is focusing on to meet growing energy demand.
4Is Norway considering nuclear power in the future?
Yes, the commission proposed establishing a national competence project to monitor nuclear developments, allowing for quicker adoption if needed in the future.
